Air Conditioner Troubleshooting: Common Causes Of Compressor Noises

Posted on

In order for an air conditioning system to turn the refrigerant gas back into a liquid, it has to pressurize it. This function is usually performed by the compressor. By using a system that is made up of pistons, rods, and a motor, the compressor usually compresses the refrigerant gas, increasing its pressure, something that then makes it easy to convert it into a liquid. Therefore, if there is a problem with the compressor, the air conditioner will have a hard time converting the refrigerant gas, something that will eventually affect the cooling effect of the refrigerant once it reaches the evaporator coil. This makes the early detection of compressor problems important.

One of the most common signs of compressor problems is unusual noises. If your compressor is making unusual noises, the following are some of the things that might be to blame.

Loose compressor parts

Most of the parts of a compressor are in constant motion. Any parts of the unit that get out of place are therefore bound to affect the movement of the parts that are adjacent to it. When moving, the loose part is also bound to knock on either the compressor's housing or on parts that are next to it. This usually produces a banging or clanking sound.

Therefore, if you hear banging or clanking sounds, your compressor's crankshaft, piston pin, or connecting rod is loose. A compressor that has loose internal mounts will also produce these noises.

Refrigerant leaks

When the refrigerant reaches the compressor area, it gets compressed. This increases its pressure. If this refrigerant finds an escape route, it is bound to produce a hissing sound given the high pressure that it is under.

However, not all leaks produce a hissing sound. There are times when a leak is too subtle to produce a hissing sound. In such cases, you will notice bubbles in the refrigerant line. The system may also produce a bubbling noise. And if your air conditioner is fitted with a sight glass, you may also be able to see bubbles through the glass.

It is important to note that since most compressor units are closed units, the only reliable way of getting rid of noises that arise as a result of loose parts is to replace it. As for the hissing noises produced as a result of refrigerant leaks, finding the leak, sealing it, and then topping up the air conditioner's refrigerant is the ideal solution. Contact a company like Dependable Air Conditioning Co Inc to learn more.


Share